Tank-lug.



Patented Apr. I, i902. C. S. BEEBE.

TANK LUG.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1901.)

2 Sheets$heet I.

(No Model.)

anuento'c 6/6612198 839656.

attain;

No. 696,793. Patented Apr. I, I902. C. S. BEEBE.

TANK LUG.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

(i I r I I; n 1/ I w awe/whom 6779(1)"!!9815'. Be efie q vihwoou Nrrnn Salaries atnnrr rricn.

CHARLES S. .BEEBE, OF RACINE, \VISCONSIN.

rANK Lue.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,793, dated April 1, 1902.

Application filed November 15, 1901. Serial No. 82,424. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. Bnnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, county of Racine, State of Visconsin,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tank-Lugs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which IO it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in what are commonly termed tanklugs, and more particularly relates to coupling devices for the bands or hoops employed for encircling tanks.

An object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly strong, durable, and yet effective tank-band-coupling device which can be economically manufactured and placed on the market at low price.

7 Another object of the invention is to provide a tank-band-coupling device ,wherein a band-locking key is always readily accessible for tapping and placing in proper position on the band and wherein said key throughout its length bears against a rigid inclined or wedging Wall of the tank-lug.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved locking key or wedge for o locking the band to a tank-lug in an exceed ingly efficient manner and which shall be strong and durable in construction and capable of rigidly locking the lug and band together without material damage or breakage 5 of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in the constructions and arrangements of parts and details for the production of a highly efficient tank lug or coupling.

My invention consists in certain novel features in construction, in combinations, or in arrangements of parts or details, as more fully and particularly described and pointed out 5 hereinafter.

my invention, Figure 1 is a horizontal section through part of a tank and a pair of tanklugs, showing the band ends, wedges or keys,

and coupling-bolt in top plan. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the tank-lugs of Fig. 1 looking at the inner end thereof, the coupling-bolt being removed and the band partially broken away. Fig. 3 is a detail detached perspective of one of the tank-lugs of Fig. 1 looking at the outer or rear end thereof. Fig. 4 is a section of the lug shown in Fig. 2, showing the band in elevation and locked to the lug by a wedge comprising but two rolling or rocking sections or keys. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the lug of the preceding figures, showing the same detached and looking at the inner end thereof. Fig. 6 is a detached perspective, looking at the outer end, of a tank-1n g formed to receive two couplingbolts. Fig. 7 is a section taken through the lug of Fig. 6 in a plane just outside of the wedges, showing the couplingbolts, wedges, and band in plan view. Fig. 8 is a detail end elevation of a locking-wedge of Figs. 1 or 7, the cage or wire being partially broken away to show the notched or recessed ends of the keys or sections. Fig. 9 is a sectional plan of the wedge of Fig. 8, the keys being shown in longitudinal section to show the cage or confining-wire. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective of the tank-lug shown on Sheet 1 of the drawings, the lug being partially broken away to show the band locked by a single rolling key.

In the drawings, a is a tank,and b is the encirclinghoop orband,the two fiat ends of which must be coupled together and drawn toward each other in order to maintain the band around the tank under the necessary tightness and tension. The tank-lugs or coupling device of my invention are for the purpose of connecting and locking together the band ends and maintaining the band under the desired tension. 1 show the two ends of the band locked by similar means to two similar tanklugs, which are drawn toward each other by one or more connecting-bolts. As at present advised by experience I prefer this arrangement, although it is obvious that the bolt or bolts can be connected in any desirable manner with one end of the band and one of my lugs and locking devices be employed at the opposite end of the band to receive the bolt and lock the band to the lug.

The tank-lug 0 (shown on Sheet 1 of the drawings) is preferably formed of a single piece of metal. For instance,it'can be formed by a single malleable casting; The lug consists of a somewhat-elongated body or loop having approximately parallel inner and outer side walls and approximately parallel end walls connecting the side walls. The outer face of the inner side wall is adapted to rest against the outer surface of the tank, while the outer side wall is shown formed with a central transverse exterior enlargement or boss,which is perforated or formed with a bore to constitute an eye 0' for the passage of the coupling-bolt. This eye is usually arranged transversely and centrally of the lug and across the outer side thereof. The outer end of the wall of the eye forms an abutment for the nut of the coupling-bolt. The outer portion of theinner end of the eye is preferably extended to form an abutment or stop 0, resting longitudinally along the outer side of the coupling-bolt, approximately as shown, to hold the lug against tilting and driving its inner corner into the tank when the coupling is tightened up. This stop 0" will, however, permit a tilting of the lug in the opposite direction so far as the diameter of the bolt with respect to the internal diameter of the eye 0 will permit. It is sometimes desirable to permit the inner end of the lug to tilt outwardly when the band is first applied to the lug and before the coupling-bolt is tightened. Then when the coupling-bolt is tightened the lugs will be drawn tightly down to their proper positions against the outer surface of the tank. This extended portion or stop a, resting along the outer face of the coupling-bolt, also in some instances tends to brace said bolt against bending. However, I do not, as at present advised, wish to limit other features of my invention to employment in connection with said extended portion, and I may not use said portion on all devices within the scope of my invention.

c is the band-locking slot, extending transversely and completely through the lug between the end and side walls thereof. This slot is of greater internal width than the band I), and the band extends longitudinally therethrough, so that the lug is arranged transversely of and on the band. The slot tapers or reduces in width between the inner and outer lug-walls from the inner face of the lug to the outer face thereof, whereby the slotopening at the inner face of the lug is larger than the slot-opening at the outer face of the lug, as is clearlyshown by Figs. 3 and 5. This taperedor wedge-shaped slot can be formed by inclining lengthwise of the slot either or both the upper and lower walls or faces thereof, (inner and outer walls.) In the specific example shown the fiat inner wall 0 against which the band rests, is inclined, as well as the corresponding flat outer wall or face 0 said walls converging toward each other from the inner to the outer edge face of the lug.

After the band end has been inserted in and passed through the slot of the lug a suitable elongated rolling key is inserted through the large inner end of the slot and carefully placed on the flat face of the band transversely across or at right angles thereto and throughout its length abutting against one of the flat inclined walls or faces of the slot. The key can then be tapped or struck through the large inner open end of the slot with sufficient force to properly seat the key and wedge it between one slot-wall and the band against the opposite wall of the slot. The coupling-bolt d, extending between the two similar lugs and through the eyes thereof, can then be tightened up by turning the nuts d d on the outer threaded ends of the bolt and at the outer ends of said eyes. The lugs are thereby drawn toward each other, and the keys by a rolling action are drawn by the inclined faces tightly against the band ends, and the band ends are most positively and rigidly locked in the lugs.

In Fig. 10 I show the lock, wedge, or key formed by a single solid metal rolling element or cylindrical roller e, havingadiameter less than the width of the large opening of the lug-slot when the band is therein and considerably greater than the width of the small end opening of said slot. This key e is in length approximately equal to the width of the fiat face of the band, and throughout its length said key bears against the solid flat outer inclined face or wallc of the slot, whereby great locking and wedging power is attained, and the band throughout its width is tightly clamped by the roller throughout its length engaging a flat solid abutment or wall, so that danger of the band slipping or the roller bending or cuttinginto the band at one'or more points is reduced to a minimum. The top wall of the slot is also braced and strengthened by the transverse top eye and the coupling-bolt therein.

In operating tank-lu gs where a separate key is employed to lock the band it is necessary that the key be first placed by hand properly into the slot and squarely on and across the band; otherwisethekeywillprobablyassume an inclined position and look at one end only, with the consequent disadvantages and ineffective look. It is also essential that the key after being properly placed be tapped or struck for the purpose of properly seating the key and enabling it to take hold when the coupling is tightened. It is also desirable that the key be located in the slot and readily accessible at all times, and consequently open to inspection to see that the lock is being properly maintained. I attain these results and am enabled to carry these requirements into effect by forming my lug with the slot completely therethrough, with the exposed large open inner end at the inner edge face of the lug.

In the specific example shown I attain certain results and advantages by inclining the bottom or inner face or wall a of the slot, so that said wall, against which the band rests,

inclines from the outer-end of the slot downwardly or inwardly toward the inner end of the slot. Hence the band where it enters the outer end of the slot is elevated from the tanksurface and is bent transversely at that point, and from the bend the band is inclined inwardly and downwardly within the slot to conform tothe angle of inclination of said wall or face 0 The band is usually thus bent when the coupling between the lugs is tightened, and the lugs are drawn in against the tank-surface, and the band is drawnrigid and taut. The band is thus more firmly and rigidly held against slipping in the lug, and the strain is distributed, and, furthermore, the strain of the-band inwardly on the outer end or edge of the lug tends in a measure to hold the lug against or to counteract any tendency of the lugs to tilt on their inner ends and lift their outer ends when the coupling between the lugs is tightened. However, I do not wish to limit myinvention in other respects to this feature of inclining the wall 0 and thereby causing the band to bend.

My invention also contemplates a lock comprising several rolling keys confined together in a cage or frame or by other suitable means. Two or more keys can be thus connected together. In Fig. 4: I show the wedge formed by two keys or rolling elements, while in other figures of the drawings the wedge is shown comprising three elements or keys. Eachkey f is elongated or in the form of a cylindrical metal roller with one or more longitudinallyflattened sides f "that is, the adjacent meeting sides of the keys are flattened longitudinally, while the longitudinal edges of the keys which engage the band and wall of the lug-slot are rounded to permit the rocking or rolling action of the keys, which wedges or locks the band. Suitable mechanism is employed to loosely confine the keys together to form the wedge, yet so that each key can rock or roll independently to a limited extent in locking the band. 'I show the keys loosely confined in a cage g, which in the specific example shown consists of a wire loop or binder passed across the ends of the keys and along the outer longitudinal faces of the end keys. The ends of the keys are shown transversely notched or recessed at f to receive the wire, the notches being flared oppositely to permit the rocking or rolling movement of each key. The large end key has a longitudinal groove b along its outer face, in which the front portion or ply of the wire is countersunk, so as not to be injured when the end of the wedge is tapped or struck to properly seat the wedge, as hereinbefore described in connection with the single rolling or rocking element or key. The intermediate key is shown longer than the others to increase theefficiency of the cage in holding the keys in place, although I do not Wish to so limit my invention.

The keys preferably decrease in diameter or width from the large end of the wedge to the small end thereof, and where locking small or ordinary-sized bands the keys will ordinarily extend almost completely across the band, as shown by the single key in Fig. 10, and also, if so desired, where very wide bands are to be locked the keys can be long enough to approximately extend completely across the bands, or, if desired, two or more wedges of ordinary length keys can be arranged end to end in the lug-slot on the single wide band, as shown in Fig. 7. Also where heavy bands are to be looked under excessive'strain the number of keys employed in a single wedge can be materially increased, although as at present advised I will ordinarily employ about three or fourkeys in each wedge.

When the band end has been passed through the lug-slot, the several connected keys are inserted in the large end of the slot and are drivenin by a suitable implement to properly seat the wedge. The coupling between the two lugs is then tightened, and if the strain is sufficient to move the band'ends in the lugs the keys will rock or roll therewith, and thereby attain a tighter grip on the band and most rigidly wedge and lock the same in the lugs; The independent gripping action of the keys in each wedge is increased by flattening the keys, so that keys, in effect, wedge or look against each other after rocking .a certain distance and so that a greater number of keys or gripping edges can be arranged in a given space than if the keys were all completely round or cylindrical in shape. By connecting a series of the keys together the lock can be easily handled and driven together as a single or ordinary wedge and the keys are all maintained approximately parallel and danger of the keys assuming an-inclined or angular position in the slot is avoided. If desired, the keys can all be formed as 'fi'at plates withrounded gripping edges, so

that a larger number of keys than shown in the drawings could be confined in the particular cage illustrated.

WVhere wide or heavy bands are to be coupled and two coupling-bolts are required, a construction such as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 can be employed, wherein the body of the lug has the slot, as before described, but the top wall is not providedwith the central transverse eye. The endsfof the body are formed integral with the two transverse eyes 2 t for the two bolts, so that the body of the lug,in effect, forms a bridge or web between the two bolt-eyes, which are located at the outer faces of'the end walls of the lug or body, whereby an exceedingly strong, rigid, and durable lug is produced which can be easily cast in one piece of metal at a minimum cost.

It is evident that various changes and modifications might be resorted to in the forms, constructions, and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact'constructions shown.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In combination, a coupling-bolt, a flat metal band or hoop, a tank-lug having a side closed band-slot extending completely therethrough and tapered or flared from one end to the other end thereof with the large accessible opening at one edge of the lug and the small opening at the opposite edge of the lug, and a rolling key entirely within said slot and resting throughout its length against the flat inclined outer wall of the slot and across the band and readily accessible at the large open end of the slot, said lug having a transverse bolt-eye, substantially as described.

2. A tank-lug having a transversely-arranged eye for the coupling-bolt, and a tapered band-slot extending completely therethrough with the large end opening at the inner face or edge of the lug and the small end opening at the outer opposite face or edge of the lug, one wall of said slot forming a flat seat for the band, and the other wall of said slot extending from opening to opening and the full width of the slot and forming a flat seat the full length of the wedging rolling key, in combination with a rolling key insertible and accessible at the large end of the slot and throughout its length wedging between the band and opposite wall of the slot, and a coupling member, substantially as described.

3. A tank-lug having a band-slot extending completely therethrough and flared from one end to the other with the inner and outerfiat walls of said slot both inclined, substantially as described, the band adapted to rest against one of said walls within said slot, said lug formed with a transverse coupling-bolt eye exterior of said slot, in combination with a rolling locking-key insertible at the large end of the slot and readily accessible through said end and located entirely within and wedging between the band and the other inclined wall, and a couplingbolt, substantially as described.

4. In combination, in a coupling device, a band, a coupling, a lug having a band-opening, and a band-locking wedge for locking the band in the lug comprising several looselyjoined rolling keys, substantially as described.

5. Atank-lug formed in one piece of metal with a transverse coupling-bolt eye and two side walls connected by two end walls with a tapered band-slot between said walls and extending completely through the lug and having the large exposed inner end opening and the small outer end opening, the inner wall or face of the slot being inclined to cause bending of the band when locked in the slot against said face, in combination with aseparate rolling locking-key insertible and accessible through said large exposed end of the slot, substantially as described.

6. A tank-lug having a coupling-bolt eye,

and a tapered or flared band-slot extending completely through the lug with its large exposed end at the inner edge of the lug and its small end at the outer face of the lug, the outer face or wall of the slot being continuous and flat, in combination with an elongated rolling 0r rocking key located entirely within the slot and insertible and accessible through the large end of the slot and throughout its length resting against and wedgin g between said flat wall of the slot and the band across which it extends, the coupling-bolt, and the band, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a coupling-bolt, a flat hoop or band, a tank-lug having a bolt-eye and formed with the slot therethrough flaring from the small outer edge opening to the large inner edge opening, with the inner and outer flat walls of the slot both inclined from the small opening to the large opening to bend the band, as described, and wedge the rolling locking-key, and the removable rolling locking-key located entirely within the slot and accessible through the large opening and throughout its length bearing against one flat inclined wall and the inclined surface of the band within the slot, substantially as described.

8. In combination, in a coupling, a tank-lug having a band-slot with an inclined wall, and a separate locking-wedge adapted to wedge between a wall of said slot and a portion of the band and comprising several loosely-connected elongated rolling keys, substantially as described.

9. In combination, in a band or hoop coupling, a hoop or band, a lug having a band-locking slot extending therethrough, and a bandlocking wedge comprising several keys arranged side by side, and a cage coupling the keys together, substantially as described.

10. A tank-lug-locking wedge comprising several parallel loosely-confined keys having longitudinal flattened portions and rounded gripping or engaging edges, substantially as described.

11. A tank-lug-locking wedge comprising several parallel rocking or rolling keys with notched end edges, and a cage passing around and loosely confining the keys together and fitting in said notched ends, substantially as described. V

12. A tank-lug-locking wedge comprising several flattened elongated keys, one end key having its outer face longitudinally grooved, the ends of the keys having flared notches, and the binding wire in said groove and notches, substantially as described.

13. In combination, a band, a coupling, a lug having a band-locking slot, and a bandlocking key comprising several keys of differing diameters, and means confining the keys together to permit independent rocking or rolling movement, substantially as described.

14. In combination, a band, a coupling, a lughavinga band-locking slot flared from end ICC IIC

a lug having a flared band-locking slot extending completely therethrough with a large readily-accessible inner end opening, and removable separate elongated rolling lockingkeys located entirely within said slot and accessible through said large opening, and bearing throughout their lengths against a fiat Wall of the slot and a face of the band, said keys arranged end to end, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHAS. S. BEEBE.

\Vitnesses:

S. M. HARBRIDGE, A. F. ERIOKSON. 

